Fire-escape.



A. HANSEL.

FIRE ESCAPE.

APPLIoATIoN FILED JUNE 15, 1911.

Patend tTa,11.23, 1912.

to L* my /lv a COLUM IA P NUURAI Il C0 AbIIlNGTON l) C UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCE.

.ALOIS HANSEL, OF LICHTENBERG, GERMANY.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 15, 1911.

Patented Jan. 23, 1912. serial No. 633,413. l

l unfolded.

The accompanying drawing shows the improved nre-escape.

Figure l is a front view, and Fig. 2 a side view of the same in its position of use. Fig. 3 shows in a sectional plan view how the folding ladder, which is shown in its unfolded position, is laterally strengthened. Fig. A shows in a sectional plan view the folding-ladder in its folded-up position.

` Fig. 5 shows in a side view the upper end of the folding ladder with its operating mechanism, in unfolded position ready for use.

The fire-escape comprises a side rail a, preferably of U-iron, which is xed on the outer front wall of the building in proximity to a row of windows. To said fixed side rail a, the steps c are at equal distances pivoted at b, which at their other ends are pivotaly connected at cl to the other side rail e, preferably of angle-iron. Near the highest point of the fixed side rail a, a triangular lever f is fulcrumed on the same at g. The outer end of said lever is pivoted to the top end of the movable side rail e at h, while the two inner ends of the same are by links z' pivotally connected with the ends of a double-armed lever k which is fulcrumed on a bracket Z inside the building and adapted to be operated by means of a handle k1 m which is integral with said lever c and adapted to be locked in its depressed position by means of a pin passed through an eye provided on said handle and a lug nl fixed on the. inner wall of the building beneath said bracket Z. Upon the handle being depressed and arrested in said position, the ladder is folded with its side rails upon each other, while upon removal of the arresting pin and raising of the handle the ladder is unfolded in its position of use,

.in which it is held by the lower end of the movable side rail e striking upon the pavement in front of the building, or any other abutment provided for this purpose.

To laterally strengthen the ladder, pivotal stays 0 are connected at one end to the movable side rail e at g and at the other end to a lug p fixed on the building.

I claim:

A fire-escape for buildings, comprising in combination, a fixed side rail on the outer wall of the building near a row of windows, pivotal steps with one end connected at equal distances to said fixed side rail, a

movable side rail' connected to the other ends of said pivotal steps, a triangular lever fulcrumed on said fixed side rail near the top end thereof and pivotally connected with its outer end to the top end of said movable side rail, pivotal links at one end connected to the inner ends of said triangular lever, a double-armed lever fulcrumed on the inner wall of the building and with its ends connected to the other ends of said pivotal links, an integral handle on said double-armed lever adapted to be operated from within the building and designed when depressed to fold said side rails upon each other and when raised to unfold the same, means to arrest said handle in its depressed position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALOIS HANSEL.

Witnesses RUDOLF SCHMIDT, ERNST KATZ.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

